CORTLAND, N.Y. — Two years ago, underdog lineman Matt Slauson beat out a bigger Vlad Ducasse for the left guard spot. On the first day of the Jets’ 2012 training camp, Slauson found out he will have to do it all over again if he wants to keep the job.

Jets coach Rex Ryan confirmed that the two will compete.

“Absolutely, I think it will be a good competition,” Ryan said. “I think Vlad’s had a terrific offseason.”

Slauson, 26, had shoulder surgery in the offseason, and the team’s mandatory minicamp in June was the first time he had worn pads since the procedure.

Cortland, NY- The change was evident all throughout OTA’s. Last season the Jets lacked the intensity and excitement that the team has become known for, this year they are back to being themselves and the difference is impossible not to notice.
Whether it was the entire offense erupting in wild cheers as Mark Sanchez used a [...]

William Perlman/US PresswireTim Tebow reported for training camp on Thursday.CORTLAND, N.Y. — The Tim Tebow trade, always a smart play for the New York Jets, already paid off before the first snap of the first training camp day. It paid off in the form of Mark Sanchez, who arrived here Thursday wearing a black tank top designed to showcase the new and improved definition in his arms.

Sanchez has never been much of a physical specimen, and he’s not likely to ever interrupt one of his Jets West summer sessions for a Muscle Beach showdown with his best frenemy, Tebow, a quarterback who reduces linemen to quivering wrecks in the weight room.

CORTLAND, N.Y. — A notably slimmer Rex Ryan addressed reporters after the first practice of Jets training camp. A few of the highlights:

Brad Barr/US PresswireRex Ryan may have two star QBs to juggle, but he doesn’t doubt his own prowess on defense.In response to a question from wide receiver turned media member Keyshawn Johnson (just give him the darn microphone), Ryan said he will be spending more time on the defense this season. Last year the Jets’ defense struggled, giving up far more points per game than in his first two seasons when the team reached the AFC title game.

Move in day is over. Media has been addressed by many and the first practice helmets are currently being stored away as players file into dorm rooms, showers, lecture halls or conference rooms to take part in what is likely the first set of classes for the day. After they eat, of course. It’s Training [...]

CORTLAND, N.Y. — The signature moment in the first practice of training camp occurred on the very first play of team drills — a 40-yard completion to rookie WR Stephen Hill, who made a diving catch after the ball was tipped by Darrelle Revis.

“Awesome, and right out of the gate, too,” said QB Mark Sanchez, who made the throw.

Rich Barnes/US PresswireMark Sanchez got the O off to a good start in the Jets’ first practice of training camp.It set a tone for the offense, which looked a lot sharper than it did last month in minicamp.

After reporting to camp Thursday, the Jets will conduct their first practice Friday. Per CBA rules, this will be a light practice with no pads. Rex Ryan said they will be in a “teaching mode,” seeing how much the players retained from OTAs and minicamp. Weather could be a factor, as there is a 40 percent chance of rain in the early morning.

The practice is closed to the public. The first open practice is Saturday.

By Dennis Agapito and Ron Pickett – (Link Defense) (Link Special Teams) Teams are allowed to carry 90 players into training camp but only 53 make the final roster. They will fill the eight member practice squad with developmental or emergency call-up players. Any candidate for the practice squad will have to clear waivers first [...]

By Dennis Agapito and Ron Pickett – (Link Offense) (Link Special Teams) Last year the Jets carried between 24-27 players on defense and they had 6-7 members on the defensive line. Defensive ends rookie Quinton Coples (North Carolina), Mike DeVito, Muhammad Wilkerson along with tackles Marcus Dixon, Kenrick Ellis, and Sione Pouha have all but [...]

By Dennis Agapito and Ron Pickett – (Link Offense) (Link Defense) Often an overlooked aspect of football is the play of special teams (kicks, punts and returns). Special teams coordinator Mike Westhoff has long been considered one of the best at coaching his unit. 2011 however was not the best year for the Jets specials [...]

CORTLAND, N.Y. — Everyone knows Jets special teams coach Mike Westhoff is one tough son of a gun; cancer survivor, specials teams innovator, master talent evaluator, cursing enthusiast. Yesterday at the team’s check-in day on the SUNY Cortland campus, however, his tough guy reputation grew a little bigger.
For Westhoff, it was his first public appearance [...]

Yes, Revis showed up to training camp and Jets football is underway. Here’s some of the headlines from the first day of training camp: Darrelle Revis Says He Was Close To Holding Out Before Reporting to Training Camp >> Revis did show up to training camp, so that nightmare is over. Or is it? Reports [...]

Rex Ryan walked into training camp at SUNY Cortland and he was hard to recognize. Noticeably slimmer, Rex spoke to the media about the start of camp and the upcoming season. On if it feels good to be back in Cortland… It does. It’s funny, when you turn into Cortland it felt great and then [...]

CORTLAND, N.Y. — Around mid-afternoon Thursday, Cortland hosted a parade for the Jets as the team arrived for the start of training camp. The two Jets buses pulled onto Main Street in Cortland and local Jets fans cheered as Rex Ryan joined local officials to receive the keys to the city.

“I can’t tell you how much we missed you,” said a notably slimmer Ryan, “obviously, it showed on the field.”

There were fans who cheered, like Connie Neff and her two daughters wearing Jets gear.

Tim Tebow arrived at SUNY Cortland and he spoke to the media about what he sees in this New York Jets team. On how it feels to get started… It kind of feels like my first day of college, showing up to Florida. No, it’s exciting, you know it will be fun to get away. [...]

Mark Sanchez who took a beating at times last year, showed up at training camp 12lbs heavier. Having your franchise QB spending quality time in the weight room, and not on Page Six, is a really good news. On his weight… I’m right around 230. On his weight at the end of last season… I [...]

Nick Casale and Courtney Aurillo are joined by Fireman Ed on the Podcast this week. They take a look at the New York Jets and Ed shares his thoughts on Mark Sanchez and what the Jets must do to bring home the Lombardi.

Ed Anzalone also talks about why the Tim Tebow move was a good one. But he tells JetNation to back Mark Sanchez. If the Jets are going to win a world championship it is going to be with # 6.

As the Jets were checking in at Cortland today for training camp, Darrelle Revis spoke to the media. On why he decided to report to camp… I just want to be here. I want to be around the team and just play ball. I think that’s my focal point, just come in here and get [...]

CORTLAND, N.Y. — Taking stock of Day 1 at Jets training camp. What did we learn?

• Circus in town: Yeah, this will get a little crazy. According to the Jets, 82 media members showed up to cover reporting day. Imagine when they get around to playing football, which will occur Friday. All the players did Thursday was unload their cars, check into their dorm and grab some dinner for the team meeting. From a media standpoint, there wasn’t much to see, but plenty came to see it.

CORTLAND, N.Y. — Come Hell or high water, the Jets 2012 season is off and running. Not thunder, not rain and not even an incumbent tornado could stop the Mark Sanchez, Tim Tebow and — yes, even Darrelle Revis, albeit fashionably late — from getting to the team’s training camp grounds of the SUNY Cortland campus.
The [...]

CORTLAND, NY — Following Jets minicamp, defensive tackle Kenrick Ellis spent 23 days in a Virginia prison after taking a plea in an assault and battery case stemming from an incident while he was a player at Hampton University.

“Mentally it was a tough part,” Ellis said. “Just read a couple books, keep your mind out of the situation and just look forward to getting back out there, start working again.”

He also passed the time with visitors, including general manager Mike Tannenbaum, coach Rex Ryan and owner Woody Johnson, though not all at the same time.